SSTs: What are MODIS, AVHRR, GOES, & COMPOSITE? What are these different SSTs?
Q: "I looked at SuperMap and under SST (Sea Surface Temperature) data, I see 4 choices. What are the differences?"
A: The SST differences are just different projects, modeling types, etc.
1- MODIS SST = MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer.
Scientific: This is a key instrument aboard the Terra and Aqua satellites. Terra's orbit around the Earth is timed so that it passes from north to south across the equator in the morning, while Aqua passes south to north over the equator in the afternoon. Energy levels at the top of the atmosphere in the 10-11 micron range (daytime) and 3-4 micron range (nighttime) are fit statistically to in-water SST measurements to allow 1km resolution SST estimates to be made. The resolution and accuracy of MODIS data are among the best available to Earth scientists today. To read even more about MODIS, visit http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov/about/
Fisherman's Terms: This MODIS SST is a product from NASA satellites. It is "said" to be better than AVHRR.
2- GOES SST = Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites
Scientific: GOES satellites provide the kind of continuous monitoring necessary for intensive data analysis. They circle the Earth in an orbit at a speed matching the Earth's rotation. This allows them to hover continuously over one position on the surface. Sea surface temperature products from GOES for the coastal United States are available in near real-time. To learn more: http://coastwatch.noaa.gov/cw_dataprod_sst.html
Fisherman's Terms: GOES SSTs are from NOAA projects.
3- AVHRR SST = Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer
Scientific: The primary sensor on board the NOAA polar-orbiting satellites is the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR). The AVHRR is a radiation-detection imager that can be used for remotely determining cloud cover and the surface temperature. The AVHRR sensor measures radiance from the earth in five bands or channels with 1.1 km resolution at nadir. Satellite estimates of SST's are made by converting the radiance measured in the infrared channels to brightness temperature and then using a multichannel technique to calculate SST to within ±0.5°C. To learn more: http://nationalatlas.gov/articles/mapping/a_avhrr.html
Fisherman's Terms: AVHRR SSTs are higher resolution SSTs from NOAA.
4- 3-DAY COMPOSITE SST = Cloud Free 3 day average of the MODIS SST.
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